What Are the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil?

May 30, 2016

By Dr. Mercola

It seems that coconut oil has been getting a lot of press lately and for many different reasons. It has a number of surprising uses, as a food, certainly, but for many other health-related benefits. Some of them are quite surprising.

That’s why coconut oil seems to have moved from “What is it?” to “It’s a superfood!” as people all over the world take stock of what it can do for them.

The Overall Health Benefits of Consuming Coconut Oil

Nutritionally speaking, the fatty acids in coconut oil lend can have significant effects on your wellbeing. Just take a look at some of the body-wide benefits you can reap just by adding this oil to your diet:

Supports proper thyroid function – Unlike soy oil and other vegetable oils, coconut oil does not interfere with thyroid function. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation that may lead to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Promotes heart health – Animal and human studies found that heart disease risk factors such as total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were greatly improved by taking coconut oil.

In particular, coconut oil’s saturated fats may actually increase “good” HDL cholesterol, while also helping convert “bad” LDL cholesterol into a less harmful form. (More on this later)

Promotes healthy brain function – Researchers found that ketones may work as an alternative energy source for malfunctioning brain cells, which has been found to reduce symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Gives your immune system a boost – The lauric acid, antimicrobial lipids, capric acid, and caprylic acid that coconut oil contains are known for their antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Regularly using it may help prevent colds/flus, and alleviate illnesses like hepatitis C, herpes and the Epstein-barr virus.

Helps promote weight loss – Coconut oil provides an excellent “fuel” for your body and stimulating your metabolism to help you shed excess body fat.

Full article here.